Category: Healthy Habits

The Encinitas Half Marathon: My Toughest Race Yet

Encinitas Half Marathon warm up 2019

On March 31st, I ran the Encinitas half marathon for the third year in a row. I have a strong connection to Encinitas, so when they started half marathons three years ago, I couldn’t resist. My first two races were euphoric but this year was a bear!!! I struggled not only with the training, but failed to get that race day “adrenaline”. I broke the cardinal rule and started out too fast only to lose steam around mile 8. By mile 10, my mental energy plummeted and I feared my body would collapse. I was really struggling!!! What happened??? These races were always the high point of my year.

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How to Start a Plant Based Diet

People ask me many questions about eating a plant based diet because they are intrigued! Some smile and say they could never do it while others seem genuinely interested. Then there are those who actually want to start a plant based diet, but don’t know how. In this post, I’m sharing ways to get mentally prepared to start a plant based diet along with my favorite resources that take the mystery out of plant based cooking  to make this a fun, empowering and easy experience. If you, or someone you know, is considering a plant based diet, then please continue reading…

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My Top Five (captivating) Podcasts of 2018

top podcasts of 2018

Podcasts are a great source of information and entertainment. Some are life changing!! I play them in the car, on a hike, at the beach, while traveling, and when I cook. I also find listening to a good podcast before bed is great alternative to watching television since the flickering light of the TV can interfere with a sound sleep. Lucky for me, my husband is a podcast aficionado and passes along his favorites to me. Great podcasts stretch the mind and impart powerful ideas. Here is a list of my top 5 favorite podcasts for 2018.

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Homemade Vege Broth Fast

During the holidays, it’s pretty easy to increase your sugar intake with all the parties, cocktails, and extra chocolate. You may notice your clothes fitting tighter or heightened sugar cravings…hello Chestnut Praline Chai Latte!!! To keep my weight and sugar cravings in check, I’m fasting one day a week on homemade vege broth. At first I thought fasting a whole day would be unbearable, especially with all the sweet temptations around, but actually, it’s not that hard once you get over the mental hurdle of “wanting to eat”. In fact, it actually feels good.

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Tips on How to Travel as a Vegan

how to travel as a vegan

Traveling as a Vegan Has Gotten Easier

I used to worry a lot about how to travel as a vegan. And, at times, those worries were justified. But, mostly traveling as a vegan ends up being fun and easy. In fact, some of my FAVORITE vegan meals have come unexpectedly from restaurants around the world. Not only are more countries adopting vegan friendly attitudes but environmental sustainability is moving plant based eating into politics all over. In fact, Portugal recently passed a law requiring all civic restaurants to offer a vegan option. This law is intended to promote healthier eating, decrease harm to animals, and reduce long term environmental impact (source). Personally, it’s been my dream here in the U.S., but I’m thrilled it’s starting somewhere. This EXCITING news is music to my ears and makes me more eager than ever to plan a trip to Portugal next year.

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My Favorite Vegan Hack Snacks

vegan hack snacks

I’m a creature of habit and when it comes to food, there are certain things I eat ALL the time. This list of vegan hack snacks is the bread and butter of my existence!! In fact, these vegan hack snacks are so unassuming, I had to think twice about adding them to the blog – you know – revealing my most intimate eating habits??? Anyway, here they are, the quick “fast” snacks I eat so often, I barely notice.

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Encinitas Half Marathon 2018: Notes

Encinitas Half Marathon

This is my second year running the Encinitas Half Marathon (my 5th half marathon) and I’ve compiled some tips for preparing to run a marathon.

The Encinitas Half Marathon

The Encinitas Half Marathon is a fun race with great energy and a lovely ocean view course. Encinitas is known as “the Golden City” because it’s thought to be located on a spiritual vortex. It attracts many naturopaths, healers, and spiritual advisors. It is also home to Yogananda’s Self Realization Fellowship and for years, Ashtanga guru, Tim Miller, had a studio there. Encinitas is undergoing a gentrification, but the golden city has retained its special vibe.

This beachy, fun half marathon appeals to runners of all kinds of runners. Some are highly experienced and competitive, while others are first timers just there to have fun. They are drawn to the pleasant beach weather, beautiful ocean views and enthusiastic onlookers.  Simply put, it’s a joyful experience.

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A Big Chocolate Mess and Feng Shui for Love

Today is Valentine’s Day so in addition to making vegan, gluten-free brownies (that turned into a big chocolate mess), I wanted to share how you can use Feng Shui for love (self-love and relational love). I am fascinated by the principals of Feng Shui and love learning how energy flow, called “chi”, can be harnessed to improve various areas of your life. There are simple things you can do in your home or office to highlight health, prosperity and creativity while attracting helpful people, travel, and greater love to you.

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Is it Time to Set Boundaries with your Phone??

boundary with phone

“Beware the barrenness of a busy life” ~ Socrates 

As a therapist, I’m big on boundaries! Mostly we talk about boundaries in relationships because we can lose ourselves in enmeshment, dependency and other dysfunctional patterns. But it is becoming clear that many people are psychologically dependent on their phone and coexisting in two worlds. Phone overuse is problematic and even dangerous. Is it time to set boundaries with your phone?

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